The successful launch of the Monday Lick Trail System was considered crucial to achieving gold-level status from the International Mountain Bicycling Association for the Ride Center at Snowshoe. The gold rating remains key to elevating a growing recreational economy to a regional economic develop- ment priority, making Snowshoe home to the only Gold IMBA Ride Center in the eastern United States.
Currently under construction, the Monday Lick Trail System will be the newest addition to the Snowshoe Highlands Ride Center. When completed, Pocahontas County’s new Monday Lick Trail System will be a world-class mountain biking destination in the Monongahela National Forest.
Being the first recreation construction project to be funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), The Monday Lick Trail project will serve as a new model for public-private collaboration in other regional outdoor recreation developments. As such, everyone involved is working hard to see the project move forward as smoothly as possible, on time, and within budget.
Now, with construction advancing, it is critical that a trailhead be completed to serve the influx of visitors expected once this new trail opens. The trailhead project will serve as the gateway for visitors accessing the Greenbrier River Trail and the new Monday Lick Trail System.
Working in concert with Snowshoe Highlands Area Recreation Collaborative (SHARC) and the Mon Forest Towns Partnership (MFTP), the Town selected the site of an existing County-owned parcel on 9th Street, that joined Town property, (A property that had been graciously “donated” to the Town, by Ed and Jonelle Lowe, for the benefit of our community).
Knowing the ARC Grant was to be announced, I asked to be on agenda for the Board of Education meeting. With a plan in place, the concept was presented to the Board October 17, 2022. The plan was accepted, with the condition that students could still park there as before, and the location for the new trailhead was secured.
In 2023, the Town of Marlinton engaged Destination By Design to complete a concept plan for the site. The plan calls for three phases of construction to develop designated parking, signage and specialty features that mountain bike tourists expect of a destination. This signature trailhead will be within easy walking distance of restaurants, bike shops, the town visitor center and other amenities. The trailhead will also contribute to the health and wellness of the greater community, providing safe and improved access to the trail for local youth and residents.
To date, the Town has worked with the Mon Forest Towns Partnership to leverage $130,000 for the project. We expect to complete fundraising for engineering in 2024 and to have shovel-ready documents in hand by December 2024.
A request for Congressionally Directed Spending has been submitted and is the best avenue for building the trailhead, as it will give us the ability to fully fund the project.
Sam
